The Travel Bug

Discovering the world around me, one place at a time...

28 February 2016

5 Reasons Why Beach Holidays Are The Best

Ah, the beach. Just writing about it makes me wish I was there. I’d be enjoying the warm weather. Then, playing soccer with friends and family on the sandy beach. I could even take a dip in the water to cool off! It sounds great, doesn’t it?! I don’t really need to tell you how great the beach and beach holidays are, but I’m going to anyway! Maybe if I talk about it long enough, I’ll feel like I’m there!

It’s Sunny

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way. Going on holiday to the beach normally has a large amount of sun involved. Anyone who’s been to a cold beach in the middle of a UK winter will tell you that it’s not the best of days out. All of the activities that lend themselves to beach holidays are so much better when it’s nice and warm. Bring your sunscreen, obviously, and make sure you stay protected out there.

Choice

Aren’t we lucky?! The world features a vast range of beaches, and we’ve got loads of possibilities at our disposal. There are some truly fantastic ones out there. If you’re planning to spend most of (if not all) your time at the beach, look at renting resort accommodation. Some packages like the ones at cebucation come equipped with private beaches so that you can get away from the rest of the crowd. We are blessed to be able to enjoy these beaches, let’s take advantage of it!

Fun For All The Family

It’s hard to find anyone that doesn’t like at least one aspect of the beach. While some people aren’t so keen on sand, they might love sunbathing. Others who don’t like swimming in the sea, are happy to kick a ball around on the beach. You might just want to take a stroll and enjoy the view. A lot of beaches also have entertainment attractions around the corner if you need a break. The family will love it, as will you.

It’s Relaxing

Going to the beach is such a relaxing activity. When you’re standing there in the sun with your friends and family, there aren’t many worries going around your head. The natural, enjoyable atmosphere is such a relaxing thing. You don’t need to worry about work, school, flights, or anything else that might be on your mind, especially if you’ve prepared properly. This is a time to have fun, so enjoy!

Swimming Is So Much Better In The Sea

Maybe I’m biased here, but swimming in the sea is so much better than any man-made pool. Alright, you’ve got to be wary of the current and anything that might swimming in there, but that’s a case of being careful. Make sure you abide by any rules in place. They are there to ensure your safety.

So there you go! Unfortunately, I still feel like a person sitting behind a computer screen. I guess I’ll be booking a beach holiday in the near future. For now, I’ll just have to daydream.

19 February 2016

Working Abroad - Be Prepared

We all love to go on holiday. It can be a chance to see how other people live, to enjoy some warmer, or colder weather, depending on what you want to do. But imagine you fell in love with a country so much that you wanted to prolong your stay, or even stay there indefinitely! You are going to need to survive, which means getting a job. There are some crucial factors to take into account when considering working in a foreign country.

Cost of Living

You are used to how much things cost at home. Day in, day out you are spending money on the same kinds of things, such as toiletries, food, rent, etc. Just because something costs a certain amount where you live now, don’t assume it will be similar somewhere else. Different countries have alternative financial ecosystems. You should be aware of this before you pack your bags and jump on a plane.

Sometimes this can work in your favour as you may find that items abroad are much cheaper than when you buy the same stuff back home. Usually, when this is the case, the average salary is also lower and will reflect the price of everyday goods. You may go to Thailand and find that you can buy a day’s worth of meals for next to nothing, but this is an indicator that the wages are usually pretty low also. You could work for a whole day and only have enough for daily food costs, so don’t carry away and blow all your contingency money. You will need it to supplement a lower income than you are used to.

Communicating with Co-workers

So you have booked your flights, found somewhere to live, and most importantly, you have secured a job. The only problem is, when you turn up on your first day, nobody speaks English! There is a tendency for English speakers abroad to assume that everyone else speak their language. While this is fine in some foreign countries, it should not be taken for granted. Think about this, you are working picking oranges in Seville. The boss declares that everyone can go home early if they pick ten more oranges in the next five minutes. You don’t understand what he says and instead, end up working at the same pace and missing out an early finish. It looks like you should have taken that Spanish course after all!

Also, you will be able to ingratiate with your fellow employees much more if you speak their language even just a little. This could be the difference between having an active social life and going home alone every night after work. By learning just a few simple phrases, you can open yourself to light conversation, which will lead to your learning a lot more.

These two basic things will impact your quality of life while working abroad. Make sure that you take the necessary steps and do the research. Your experience will be so much richer for doing so!

17 February 2016

Palm Plaza Hotel Review in Manila

I booked a double bedroom for a night last Sep. 24-25, 2015 in Palm Plaza Hotel which is near the famous landmarks in Manila like Luneta, Malate, Roxas Blvd. and other places of interest within easy reach.

The hotel is very easy to find. It is located along the stretch of Pedro Gil, very near to Robinson's Place Manila, Department of Justice, Philippine General Hospital, and the Malate area. You can go to the hotel via public transportations like the railway transit, public jeepneys, buses or taxis plying the route of Manila.

What I like:
Free wifi
Very polite and customer-service oriented staff
Clean rooms
Location
Accessibility via various transportation means
Near malls, churches
Plenty of restaurants and food outlet within walking distance
The price is ok considering it is an old hotel. I still consider the rate within the budget range.

What I don't like:
Outdated furnitures
Tiled floor which tends to get cold when you don't have spare slippers to wear around
Slight noise from public transportations and nearby bars
The lights are not enough in the room. I feel it was a bit dark.
No available parking in the hotel. Parking is nearby on other establishment.

Room rate:
I booked using Booking.com and got a good deal of around Php 1200++ per double bedroom per night without breakfast.

I am still giving this hotel a good rate because of the friendly, efficient and very courteous staff. Everyone was helpful and we felt at home and secured in their premise. I also like the fact that it offered free wi-fi and the location was fantastic!

I am not sure if this hotel is a good fit for families with younger kids as this location is near the "Red Light District" but not really in that locale. You will find videoke bars and restaurants nearby.

If you wish to book in this hotel or find other accommodations in Manila or anywhere in the world, check out the search field below for other budget accommodations:

03 February 2016

Amazing Ways To Enjoy The Water On Vacation

I travel a lot, and I love taking vacations overseas. But a lot of my favorite destinations have something in common. They are all close to the coast. I love getting out into the water. The sea breeze and the sound of the ocean lapping on the sand are intensely relaxing. I know I’ve arrived somewhere special as soon as I dip my toe in the water. And getting out onto the water is a great way to build up an appetite for the local cuisine too!

I love lazing on a warm, sandy beach and just listening to the sounds of the ocean. But being a bit of a travel bug, I love getting out and about and doing lots of adventurous things too. Water skiing is not for the faint-hearted. It takes a lot of core strength and balance to get it right even for just a few seconds. It’s fast and wet, and a lot of fun. Make sure you choose a reputable company to try this one out, or you could end up with a few bruises!

Surfing is something everyone should try once in their lives. There are some stunning places around the world to try and catch some great waves. Strangely, the most popular ones are in UK waters that are really cold! But you can enjoy surfing in the sun too in places like Australia. There are different sizes of surfboards, and a good surf school will help you choose the right approach for you.

Scuba diving is one of those activities that can give you an experience of a lifetime. You might be diving to see wrecks, or you might be looking for some of the most beautiful fish in the world. Queensland in Australia is one of my favorite places for scuba diving. But to make the most of it, you should definitely get some scuba diving classes in closer to home. This qualifies you to hire the equipment and visit the best dive sites. It’s certainly worth it too!

Swimming with dolphins is really hard to do in the wild these days. But If you want this incredible experience, there are several parks around the world. They have captive dolphins that are trained. Mexico is a great place to visit, and you can swim with dolphins here. The trainers are really good at helping you get this incredible experience. The dolphins might even take you for a ride.

Hiring a yacht is one of the most incredible things to do if you visit the Mediterranean. You can stop along the coast to visit several different countries. And traveling on a luxury yacht makes the whole experience even more incredible. This is the playground of the rich and famous, so you might even get a little celebrity spotting in while you’re there.

Getting out on the water provides some amazing experiences while you are away on vacation. And if you have the travel bug, why not include a boat or yacht as part of your travel plans? Enjoy the water safely while you are away.

02 February 2016

4 Reasons Why You Should Choose to Cruise

A lot of people that have never been on a cruise have some certain preconceived ideas about what a cruise is like. Some of the notions might be true. A lot of them aren’t, though. A lot of people think you will feel claustrophobic or feel the cruise ship moving. You don’t at all! I have only heard positive things from people that have been on them. So if you are thinking of trying out a cruise, here are some reasons why you should.

Value For Money

Cruises offer great value for money. The cost includes pretty much all of your food and drink as well as entertainment and the daytime excursions. Exactly what is included will depend on the cruise provider, but there will be a lot of things included. Just think of each evening; you will be getting dinner, a show or other entertainment and somewhere to sleep. When you look at it that way, it is reasonable. It would cost much more for those three things at any other hotel. There are quite often offers on for families too. Sometimes the kids sail free or get a discounted rate. Luxury providers may also include things like spending credits and alcohol in the price. So look at a provider like Broome Kimberley & Beyond to see what is included in the price.

You Get to Visit Multiple Destinations

I know how it is when you have a travel bucket list as long as your arm. There are a lot of places that you would love to visit but don’t know how you will be able to afford to visit them all. A cruise solves that problem. Are there a few cities in Europe you would love to visit? Or Caribbean islands that you’d like to see? You can just choose a cruise that covers the places that you want to go to. Problem solved. You won’t be spending weeks at each destination. But you can get to visit and see the main sights.

Cruises cater for everyone. There is something that everyone will enjoy. There are things from swimming pools to play centres, from spas to shopping. There are a variety of classes and clubs available too. So your tech teen son could enjoy playing in the games room while your younger daughter enjoyed swimming. So it is perfect for a family with a variety of ages, there will be something for everyone to do, even taking the grandparents!

Make Lots of Friends

Cruising is a social thing. You will see the same people for a week, so it is a great chance to meet people. They will be from all over the world, so it is a great chance to get to know people from other cultures and backgrounds. You could even try out your language skills for when you are hopping on and off board.

There are plenty of other reasons to go on a cruise too. They are romantic so perfect for getting married or renewing vows too.

01 February 2016

Birthday Travel for 2016

Last year was the first time I have ever ventured on a trip with a friend and not with my family. My travel has always been with my husband and daughter. Ever since my daughter went to the Philippines for her collegiate studies, her vacation schedule has become an issue when it comes to applying for vacation leaves in the office. Oftentimes, her off from school coincides with other colleagues vacation plans so I had to bargain and see if one will concede or not. Then, our plan just ends up getting cancelled.

My first time to travel to Amsterdam with a friend for our birthday (she is also a March celebrant) was really fun and exciting. I felt liberated in a way because I have always been bound to travel only with my husband and daughter. Since I managed to travel on my own, I am kind of yearning another birthday gift for myself. Will it be a possibility? I am not sure, depending on the budget of the "sponsor" (who happens to be my loving husband).

My husband was kind enough to know what really makes me happy, as in that ethereal feeling! Travel is the only activity in my list that really makes me giddy with excitement. I can't keep from smiling from ear to ear. From the moment we decide where to go, to the planning stage, to the packing of bags, to the actual trip, to the sightseeing and food binging, to enjoying the local scene, and to the flight back, my feeling is just a cycle of being happy and grateful for the blessings and opportunity to travel.

I am glad that my husband wants to treat me somewhere this year for my birthday. Not in Dubai but outside of UAE. He is actually choosing between traveling to the US on a weekend quick-trip or to nearby Georgia (the country) where we haven't been yet. I don't mind, as long as it's free and I'm taking a leave from work.

So, for my birthday this year, I would settle for a nice trip. I don't want to spend because I really don't have much money left to spare for any travel for the first quarter but if the "finance manager" says so, who am I to say no? :)